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The Washington Wildlifer Newsletter of the Washington Chapter of

The Wildlife Society

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT By William O. Vogel

Last year, I was in the Ozarks of Arkansas at my 35-year high school reunion (obviously I graduated at an extremely young age). It was mid-June and already very hot. In Arkansas, you don’t just learn about ecosystems – you become one (i.e., chiggers and ticks).

Many of my classmates remarked about how many deer, turkey, and bear there are now compared to when we were in high school. I contemplated that for a moment, and remarked that wildlife management as a profession started in earnest in the late 1930’s.The 1970’s were only half-way along the remarkable journey of recovery under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act) (1937), the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp Act) (1934), and organizations such as The Wildlife Society (1937). OK, now I do feel old. So many things have changed since 1937, and even since 1977. We now have computer programs to create the maps and figures we drew by hand in the olden days. We have radio-collars that record data even when we do not go into the field (wish I could have done that during a few winters in Montana) and monitors to tell us if something is in our traps.

Then, this February, a gentleman brought

me a “Dear Bill” letter addressed to the president of the Washington Chapter. But it wasn’t to me – it was to William Lawrence from David Marshall, president of the Oregon Chapter, regarding an invitation to the Charter Meeting of the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society. That first meeting of our Chapter was in June of 1966 and occurred in Wenatchee. I found the program fascinating, especially the panel discussion on “Wildlife Economics vs. Washington’s Population Explosion”.What I wouldn’t give to have that human population today! The Master of Ceremonies for the banquet was Stewart

Bledsoe and the speaker was Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. Wow, we got a lot of respect back then. Even more impressive, charter dues were $1.00, registration was $0.50, and the banquet was $3.75. If you were not a

member, registration cost you a whole $1.00.

So you see, some things have really changed, while others remain the same. Coordination with other Chapters is still important. Population growth continues to be a major issue, compounded by technological advances that allow development to encroach into increasingly remote areas. Even our own jobs have been changed (for better or worse) by technology. One thing that has not changed is the value of the Chapter to biologists in Washington State and the need for volunteers to keep the Chapter

Bill and a barred owl. Photo: Karl Vogel

SPRING 2013

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Message from the President………………........1

2013 Annual Meeting Summary……………….…..2

Regional Reports……….......9

AnnouncementsNew Website..……....20

Scholarship & Grant Awards……………...20

Opportunities for Students ………....….21

TWS National Conference…….........21

2014 Annual Meeting Progress......................21

Section and National Reports & News...…..22

Special Thanks……...22

We Need Your Help!..….....................22

Online Mentoring Program (TWS National).……......…..23

Join the Chapter!........23

Board & Representatives…25

The Washington Wildlifer Spring 2013

running. Another thing that never seems to change came to mind when I read that David Marshall could not attend due to “severe restrictions on travel” -- sound familiar?

Well, back to our Chapter…we still need volunteers, members, and energy to make our organization work. The Chapter provides its members with many benefits including support for students, job announcements, networking, and informative meetings and trainings. However, we still need people to make these happen. Not long ago, we performed a survey to determine what kind of trainings our members wanted or needed – the results were mixed. In the process, we received some offers to put on training. It is because of people like Greg Green and A.J. Kroll that we were able to provide the workshops at our annual meeting.

Partnerships are critical. The success of our annual meeting this year was due in no small part to our Oregon counterparts. The amount of time and energy they put into the joint meeting was phenomenal and made the meeting better than if we had done it on our own. Each person pays attention to different details, yet some of those details are very important to attendees. If it were not for Fran Cafferata Coe, Vice President of the Oregon Chapter, the meeting would have been less special and less of a success. We anticipate that partnerships will be a big part of our future in general, and regarding annual meetings in particular. Next year, 2014, we plan to meet in conjunction with the 4th annual international burrowing owl symposium, raptor interests, Society for Northwest Vertebrate Biologists, and those that deliver services to the agricultural community. Who knows who we will partner with in 2015? We are tentatively thinking about the Idaho Chapter as a partner for 2016.

You do not have to be an officer to help; there are many ways you can contribute. The one thing that will not change is that we need you to help us create a strong and active chapter. We will still need our members support and assistance as we move into Facebook, Twitter, and future technologies. Perhaps in the future, our annual meetings will be conducted by virtual attendance – but we will still need your

help and feedback. I urge you to stay active and to encourage your fellow wildlife biologists to join and support our chapter.

2013 Annual Meeting: Valentine’s Day in Skamania This year we held the annual meeting of the Washington Chapter in association and cooperation with the Oregon Chapter. The two chapters held our joint meeting at Skamania Lodge from February 12 through 15. Approximately 280 people attended.

The proceedings kicked off on Tuesday with a joint meeting of biologists from Washington and Oregon to discuss updates to the two states’ lists of rare, threatened and endangered species. We thank John Fleckenstein and Eleanor Gaines for having the foresight to hold this information exchange in conjunction with our meeting. There was also a joint Oregon and Washington Raptor Monitoring Session in the evening. Associated meetings and sessions continued throughout the event with a meeting of the Oregon Native Turtle Working Group at noon on Thursday and a special session focusing on Partners in Flight Thursday afternoon.

Workshops

On Wednesday, we held a series of workshops. Oregon Chapter members organized workshops on snowy plovers and wind energy and wildlife. Washington Chapter members provided workshops on technical writing and identification and ecology of marine mammals. Thanks to the organizers and presenters who help make these valuable workshops available!

We want to thank Greg Green, Principal Ecologist with Owl Ridge Natural Resource Consultants, Inc., for a wonderful workshop on marine mammals. We received many positive comments about the wealth of information he provided, including the bathymetry and geology of the Pacific shelf, history of exploration of Alaska and Pacific Northwest Coast, history of marine mammal exploitation, and the identification, life history and ecology of marine


mammals. It was a well-organized workshop with a well-polished presentation. Greg conducts similar trainings annually in Alaska. His photos were also stunning. The feedback we received was that the amount of information provided in a short period of time was amazing and that the instructor was impressive.

We also want to thank A.J. Kroll of Weyerhaeuser and his assistants, Wendy Arjo (Ageiss, Inc), Craig Hansen (ENVIRON), Bruce Thompson (WDFW), and Scott McCorquodale (WDFW), for organizing and teaching the technical writing workshop. As one of the attendees said, “I think it was great that the Chapter organized the Technical Communications workshop. It provided a great opportunity for students and professionals alike. Dr. Kroll did a good job organizing and presenting relevant material. Guest speakers enriched the training by focusing on specialized topics. Pre-assigned homework encouraged participants to come prepared to engage in active learning.”

Other Events

On Wednesday evening, there was a special mentoring session so that veterans and students could exchange information. There was also training available to students regarding interview techniques and strategies. That evening we held the poster session, including judging. The posters were of high quality and presented a wide range of topics, from “Gastro-intestinal Parasite Dynamics in Rodents in Response to Forest Management” to “What’s up with the Wusky?” The poster session was followed by a social reception with music by DJ Myles, and dancing. This was a great opportunity for networking between the Oregon and Washington folks. The food was delicious and there was enough chicken, beef, fruits, cookies, etc. to keep everybody from going hungry. Somebody told me that a few beverages were also consumed.

Student Assistance

This year the Chapter offered lodging assistance to university and college students wishing to attend the meeting. Students seeking this assistance were required to submit an application, register for and attend the entire meeting, and provide a minimum of four hours of volunteer help during the meeting. The Chapter received 13 applications from students from five colleges and universities throughout the state. The Chapter supported 10 students by granting them

free lodging at Skamania Lodge for two nights during the meeting.

Plenary Speakers

On Thursday morning, the main event began with our two plenary speakers. Ken Berg, manager of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(USFWS) office in Lacey, Washington, talked about “Facebook, the Fiscal Cliff, and the Future of Wildlife Conservation”. This 30,000-foot view was very candid and to the point. Ken said if we want to be successful in conservation, we have to make wildlife and habitats relevant to politicians and the public. Our public is becoming increasingly disconnected from nature and the outdoors. It is a changing demographic and dynamic, he told us. Ken demonstrated that the young people of today get their information in many ways. Young people are using a number of nontraditional outlets and media to gather and share information. His talk was to the point: we need the support of the public and especially the young public to succeed in conservation. In order to get that support, we must reach them with interesting information to show how conservation is relevant to them. We have to learn to speak their language and use the same social media that they use.

Our next plenary speaker was Dr. Ed Arnett with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and previously with Bat Conservation International. Ed talked about “Frontiers Old and New” for Pacific Northwest wildlife in the context of energy

Student mentoring session. Photo: Larry Pecenka


Awards ~

TO A JOB WELL DDone!

development and the numerous challenges we face in the coming years as the U.S. seeks energy independence and economic recovery, while maintaining fish and wildlife resources and recreational opportunities that drive an outdoor-based economy worth nearly $1 trillion.

Dr. Ed Arnett's presentation. Photo: Larry Pecenka

Banquet Speaker

Following the plenary sessions, we divided into three concurrent sessions packed with a day and a half of interesting talks. But first, let’s talk about Thursday evening. Our banquet speaker was Dr. John Bindernagel, a retired wildlife biologist from British Columbia and expert on the subject of Sasquatch or Bigfoot (a controversial ape-like mammal thought to inhabit parts of western North America). Many believe this creature is mythical, others believe it really exists, and others do not completely believe either way.

Dr. John Bindernagel shares his thoughts with the group. Photo : Larry Pecenka

Dr. Bindernagel provided an educational and entertaining summary of trends and history of reports, other information, and his thoughts on the subject. Perhaps even more relevant to us was the information he presented about how we, as scientists, think. It is important for us to be skeptical, but also to have an open mind. How each of us balances these somewhat competing interests is up to us. He discussed the processes and stages scientist go through as more and more acceptance of ideas occurs.

Dr. Bindernagel played a recording for us that some believe may have been a Sasquatch. We even had a reply from a young primate in the audience! On the subject of primates, we also had a very interesting presentation on gibbons in Laos on Friday morning and were able to hear the pre-mating calls and responses of male and female white-cheeked gibbons – but we did not get any responses from the audience. Another presentation included a nonhuman primate -- we are still trying to figure out how an image of what looks to be a Sasquatch got into the background of one of Scott Becker’s slides dealing with wolf depredation. Once we do, we will either be calling Dr. Bindernagel, or we will be awarding Scott the 2013 humor award!

A number of awards were presented at this year’s meeting. At the banquet, we also announced winners of the poster session judging, student presentation judging, photo contest, and raffles and silent auctions.


Special Achievement Award

Every few years, the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society recognizes a wildlife professional for an outstanding accomplishment which has contributed significantly to the understanding of wildlife ecology or to wildlife conservation. KenBerg (USFWS) was the recipient of the 2012 Special Achievement Award.

Blake Murden presents Ken Berg with the Special Achievement Award. Photo: Larry Pecenka

Ken was recognized for a long history of accomplishments, which include conservation of imperiled Puget Sound prairie species and the development of extensive partnerships and cooperatives representing a variety of stakeholders. Under Ken’s direction, Washington State has competed for and has been awarded over $150 million to protect and recover listed species. With this funding, over 100,000 acres have been permanently conserved in partnership with State agencies. In addition, Ken and his team have secured over $100 million for habitat restoration from various sources, and they have helped develop Habitat Conservation Plans and Safe Harbor Agreements in Washington State resulting in over 12 million acres being managed for endangered species and their habitats. Ken’s vision, professionalism, management skills, and ability to work with diverse partners are admired by those working with him and have contributed to his success. Congratulations, Ken!

Leadership in Conservation Award

Jim Bottorff was presented with the 2012 Leadership in Conservation Award recognizing a

career of dedicated service. We celebrated Jim’s career with a slide show that took us on a journey through the decades – all six of them – since Jim began his career in the late 60’s (that’s 1960’s!).

Jim Bottorff in the field. Photo: Andrew Perleberg

Jim grew up on a river farm in Indiana and received his degrees from Purdue and West Virginia University. Jim’s career included time working as a biologist in Arizona while in the military, working for the Soil Conservation Service, working on moose and wolves on Isle Royale, and working for USFWS in Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Later, he was in charge of (and was the sole biologist for) the Endangered Species Program for Washington and Oregon. He later worked for USFWS in California. He returned to Washington and worked independently under contract and then as a consultant. During this time he helped forge alliances between timberland owners and resource agencies. In 1995, Jim went back to the government as the forest stewardship wildlife biologist for Washington Department of Natural Resources. Jim made huge sacrifices to provide landowners with assistance, often travelling long distances and working extended hours. About 10,000 landowners have either attended educational programs and/or received technical assistance from Jim over the years.

Jim has presented at numerous professional continuing education programs and conferences for foresters and has spoken at numerous Washington State University (WSU) extension education


PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

Landscapes/Habitats: Lindsey Aspelund

Wild Birds: Jeff Reams

Mammals: Danielle Munzing

Other Wildlife: Lindsey Aspelund

Peoples & Projects: Kevin Goldie

Humor: Rick Vetter

Digital Artistry: Kevin Goldie

programs and field events for landowners across the State. Jim was Chairman of the Pacific Northwest Woodland Fish and Wildlife Publication Project. Jim authored numerous articles for family forest owner publications, co-authored several WSU extension bulletins, and provided assistance to the Family Forest Foundation.

Jim retired last year. During his long career, he clearly distinguished himself as the “go to” wildlife expert for anything related to family forest land management in Washington state. His enthusiasm for wildlife and habitat is contagious. He is always cheerful and practical in his approach. As a result, Jim is respected by both wildlife biologists and foresters. We had a lot of fun celebrating with Jim and listening to his stories and were glad that his son, Bo, was able to join us.

Jim Bottorff receives the Leadership in Conservation Award from Bill Vogel. Photo: Bill’s Camera

Sessions

The sessions were very interesting -- but it is hard to be in three to four places at once. Some sessions focused on specific topics such as cavity nesting birds, with an emphasis on white-headed woodpeckers, while others were diverse with speakers covering hot topics in wildlife management ranging from restoring complex forest in riparian areas to Oregon white oak release for restoration to the ecology of Nomascus leucogenys (white-cheeked gibbons) in Laos.

Other sessions included Avian Ecology; Census Counts - Methods and Results; Use of Technology in Wildlife Management; Mammal Ecology; Human

Dimensions; Use of Law Enforcement & Forensics in Wildlife Management; Managed Forests; Understanding Habitat Partitioning and Use; Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Movement; and Student Research in Progress.

Business Meeting

The Washington Chapter Executive Board was able to get together at noon on Thursday for a Board meeting. Later in the afternoon, between sessions and the banquet, we held our Washington Chapter Business meeting. We were graced with the presence of Barb Hill, President of the Northwest Section, who gave us a brief update on Section business. We had the usual Chapter Treasurer’s Report and so forth.One of the most interesting discussions came from the students in attendance. They referred back to Ken Berg’s presentation several times and at one point asked why the Chapter does not have a Facebook page. The Board had discussed this less than a year earlier and we just had not pursued it any further. We are now seriously looking into taking this next step. See “We Need Your Help!” (page 22) for more details.

Photo: Milo Burcham


We were fortunate to have Matthew Warren and Leslie Parks, Western Washington University graduate students, present to let the attendees know how research grants from the Washington Chapter helped with their research on mountain goats (Leslie) and cougars (Matt). Kristina Haycock, our scholarship recipient from the University of Washington, was not able to attend, but was nice enough to send a message that was read in her absence thanking the Chapter and expressing what the scholarship meant to her.

Insurance: Close observers may also recall that the topic of insurance came up during the meeting. Craig Hansen mentioned that the Board was looking into general liability insurance and/or directors and officers insurance for the chapter. After looking more closely, we determined that neither type of coverage appears to be necessary at this time. Craig spoke with an insurance broker, who informed him that general liability insurance is most appropriate where there is a chance of misappropriating non-profit funds. For example, it would cover a situation in which a board member who lacks authority to commit chapter funds signs a contract with a hotel to host a conference. Our bylaws and our operating procedures are structured to keep that from happening. Craig also checked with representatives of the Oregon and Idaho chapters. Neither chapter has general liability insurance. As for directors and officers insurance, that is designed to cover issues related to employment practices, and to protect associations against allegations of mismanagement, personal injury, or publisher’s liability. None of these applies to the Washington Chapter. The Board thanks Craig for taking the time to delve into the complex and endlessly fascinating world of liability insurance!

Bylaws: Also during the meeting, Chapter Secretary Mike Hall reminded attendees that our Chapter bylaws have been revised and approved by our national parent organization. The revised bylaws are now available for review at http://wildlife.org/washington/bylaws.

Most of the revisions (which were summarized in the election ballot that went out to all active members in September 2012) were aimed at reducing

redundancy, ensuring consistency with national guidelines, reflecting current practices, and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Board. We also changed the annual payment due date from December 31 to March 31, to ensure consistency with the bylaws’ requirements regarding eligibility to vote in chapter elections. The Board thanks Mike for his time spent tracking changes across multiple versions of documents.

Summary

We believe we had a very successful meeting for several reasons: (1) the attendees were able to attend talks and sessions on a variety of topics and received a lot of good information; (2) The meeting was completed well in the black financially, thanks in part to substantial sponsorships from 18 agency, industry, and other partners; (3) we renewed acquaintances and benefited from working with the Oregon Chapter before and during the meeting; and (4) we learned a little bit more about what it takes to put on a successful annual meeting. I personally would like to thank the Board, officers, and volunteers from Oregon Chapter for their efforts and great cooperation. We also want to thank all our members who volunteered or contributed. We are grateful for each of the speakers and poster presenters and to all who contributed in their own way. Bill wanted to give a special thank you to Blake Murden for his efforts in ensuring the logistics for this meeting were successful and for coordinating with the Oregon Chapter. As Bill said, “Everyone on the Board contributed, but I feel the need to thank Blake in particular for being there to help me with my tasks as well as for bailing me out when I needed it!”

We hope all those who attended the meeting came away from it with the same positive feelings that we did. We hope those who did attend as well as those who did not, will be able to join us at our Chapter’sannual meeting in Pasco next February.

In case you would like to peruse the abstracts or contact authors, you can access the final program online: http://wildlife.org/Oregon/sites/wildlife.org.Oregon/files/images/draftprogram2013.pdf.


REGIONAL REPORTS

The regional reports help to keep members informed of the various wildlife and habitat management, habitat restoration, and research projects occurring throughout Washington. If you do not see your important work represented here please consider contributing to the next issue by contacting Betsy Howell (OLY) at: [email protected], Steve Hall (NW) at: [email protected], Sara Gregory (SE) at: [email protected]; or William Ritchie (SW) at: [email protected].

The NE region position is currently open.

OLYMPIC REGION – Betsy Howell, USFS

Daniel Ravenal, Quinault Indian Nation Taholah

Assessing cougar (Puma concolor) populations on the Olympic Coast has been a goal of the Quinault Division of Natural Resources and the Community since 2010. There is a lack of knowledge of cougar populations, including impacts of predation and home range size in western Washington and more specifically on the Olympic Peninsula. We have been successful at capturing and radio collaring five cougars, including three males and two females, on the Quinault Reservation. We currently only have four animals radio-collared. Cougars are fitted with Lotek GPS satellite collars and are set to acquire a location fix every three hours. The collars weigh just

under two pounds and are programmed to drop off in 14 months. Locations are being plotted on a GIS map to analyze home range size and potential prey sites. We have focused our capture efforts on the reservation, but are documenting the cougars as they range across other ownerships.

Shannon Murphie, Makah Tribe, Neah Bay

The Makah Tribe is currently involved in both cougar and bobcat research efforts. To date, five adult female and three adult male cougars have been fitted with GPS collars (three subadult males were also captured but ear tagged only). Over 25,000 locations have been accumulated on these animals and location clusters are analyzed for predation events and investigated within two to four weeks. We have recovered prey remains at over 550 cougar clusters and identified at least 16 individual prey species, with deer being the primary prey followed by elk, beaver, raccoon and other small prey species. Female diets are dominated by deer (72%) followed by other species (20%) and elk (8%); whereas the male diets are dominated by elk (62%), followed by deer (26%) and other species (12%). Male home range sizes are generally over twice the size of females, averaging 330 km2 compared to 138 km2.

As for the bobcats, we have so far captured and GPS collared seven males and three females. We have acquired over 3,500 locations and have, as with the cougars, investigated predation events. At the clusters where prey remains have been found, deer, mountain beaver, rabbit, and grouse are the most common

4-year old female collared on March 19, 2013. Photo: Greg Jones


species, with about half of the deer being scavenged. Home range sizes for females range from 64-97 km2;whereas male home range sizes range from 5-18 km2.Though it is too early in the study to reach any conclusions, it appears that these females are showing different behavior from bobcat females from other studies (typically smaller female home range and larger male home range). Males are showing distinct territorial behavior with very minimal home range overlap.

Scott Gremel, Olympic National Park (ONP), Port Angeles

In 2012, National Park Service personnel monitored and managed data on a sample of 52 northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) territories (sites) to determine their occupancy and reproductive status. This year 10 sites were occupied by spotted owl pairs and 13 by single spotted owls. This was the highest overall rate of site occupancy since 2006, but was made up of an unusually high number of single owls, many of which we could not relocate on subsequent visits. Seven pairs attempted to nest, fledging a total of ten young, and the average fecundity was 0.56 female offspring per adult female. We banded five new adult spotted owls and one juvenile. At sites where any spotted owls responded, they were found on an average of 49% of monitoring visits.

Occupancy rates of spotted owls in ONP have declined significantly following the first detection of barred owls at a site. Spotted owls that have remained

on territories following detections of barred owls have moved both farther and increased in elevation relative to sites where barred owls are absent. This year we confirmed barred owl presence at 81% of monitored spotted owl sites. Although barred owls now occupy portions of most spotted owl territories in ONP, the majority of spotted owl sightings occur greater than 800 meters from any recorded barred owl detection. Models suggest that barred owls are less likely to occupy spotted owl sites on the steepest, driest slopes, and the movement of the remaining spotted owls to steeper slopes and higher elevations is making access and completing surveys more difficult at many sites.

The last analysis of range-wide data in 2009 showed a rate of population decline of 2.9% a year, and a 4.3% annual decline for the Olympic Peninsula. Female fecundity appeared stable in the Olympics, but the more important estimate of adult survival was declining here and on nine of 10 other areas studied. The 2012 data are preliminary, uncorrected counts and the next formal trend analysis from demography studies across the range of the northern spotted owl will occur at the end of the 2013 field season.

Kim Sagar-Fradkin, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Port Angeles

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, the United States Geological Survey-Olympic Field Station, and Olympic National Park, is in the third year of a 4-year study looking at river otter (Lontra canadensis) and American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) use of the Elwha River during removal of two hydroelectric dams. This study commenced in 2011 and is expected to be completed by late 2013. Our primary objective is to collect information on how otters and dippers use the Elwha River to meet their spatial, habitat, and dietary requirements, and how salmon restoration might alter the way in which those requirements are met. Specifically, we have captured and implanted seven otters with radio-tracking devices and are monitoring 79 banded dippers and 26 dipper breeding territories on the

Captured bobcat. Photo: Jeremiah Johnson


Elwha River. We are also collecting biological samples (blood, hair, feathers, claws) from both otters and dippers, which allow us to use stable

Collecting samples from a captured dipper. Photo: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

isotope ratios of nitrogen and carbon for determining the contribution of marine-derived nutrients (delivered to streams by spawning salmon) in otter and dipper diets. In dippers, we are examining ecological impacts of marine-derived nutrients by measuring annual survival and indices of body condition (mass given body size), reproductive success (offspring condition), and life-history variation (migratory behavior) in areas with and without migrating salmon. For both otters and dippers we are also providing a baseline of isotopic variation prior to and during dam removal.

Curious otters. Photo: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

To date, tagged otters have moved extensively throughout the Elwha watershed and Strait of Juan de Fuca, traversing the upper Elwha dam when it was still fully intact, exhibiting range expansion after removal of the lower dam, and moving up to 20 km

west and east along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Using stable isotope analysis, we have found strong separation patterns in both stable-carbon and -nitrogen ratios, indicating that otters and dippers in areas with salmon are receiving substantial marine-derived nutrients through consumption of salmon or other marine biota or, in the case of dippers, potentially through consumption of invertebrates that use an enriched nitrogen pool. Also in dippers we have found that females breeding in areas without salmon are in poorer body condition than those in areas with intact salmon migrations. Our study will continue into the spring of 2014.

Betsy Howell, Olympic National Forest, Olympia

This winter, the Olympic National Forest formed a partnership with the organization, Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, or ASC, (www.adventureandscience.org) to survey for American marten (Martes americana). Despite numerous remote camera surveys in the Olympic National Forest and National Park since the early 2000s, there has been no documentation of marten with this survey method. Only three verifiable records from the last 25 years exist for marten on the Forest, including two animals that were observed alive, one of which was photographed, and a third, a young female, which was found dead. This last record occurred in 2008 (the other two were from 1988 and 1990), providing encouragement that martens may still be inhabiting the Peninsula. In early January, a team of 15 volunteers recruited through ASC installed 12 cameras on the east side of the Forest, from Mt. Rose near Lake Cushman north to the Dosewallips River drainage. These volunteers were recruited for their fitness and experience in the backcountry and they have proved a dedicated team of individuals. Their commitment was to monitor and maintain the cameras for 16 weeks. Most sites have now been pulled and though we have not yet detected a marten, we had one station that documented an uncollared fisher, another that photographed a family of three mountain lions, and numerous other wildlife species, including possibly a spotted owl, that showed up on the other cameras. The majority of the


stations were functional, i.e. the cameras were working and the bait was in place, during the intervals between site checks, such that if a marten had been in the area, it should have been recorded. This project was highlighted in January on NPR’s All Things Considered, http://www.npr.org/2013/01/21/169912767/to-catch-a-marten-seeking-clues-in-olympic-national-forest.

In other mustelid news, the Olympic Fisher Reintroduction Project is now entering its fifth year. The first phase, which included monitoring animal movements through radio telemetry and documenting den sites ended in December 2012. In June 2013, the second phase of non-invasive monitoring, using remote cameras and hair snares, will begin to document if a self-sustaining population of fishers has been established on the Peninsula. The sampling design and field protocols for these techniques for fisher on the Peninsula are being finalized, but will basically include 99 sample areas, each with three cameras and three hair snares, set up across the Olympic National Forest and National Park. Similarly, there will also be stations established on other ownerships across the Peninsula. During phase 1 of the project, a pilot study to determine sampling efficiency of camera surveys on the Olympic Peninsula indicated that the probability of detecting known fishers was >90% when three stations were set up one kilometer apart and checked every two weeks for a total of six weeks. The survey season this year will begin June 1 and go through October 30.

NORTHEAST REGION – Chris Loggers, USFS

Reminder: After many years of informing and entertaining us with tales from the Northeast Region, Chris is ready to pass the baton. Please let us know if you’re interested!

John Lehmkuhl has left the building…After a long career with the US Forest Service, John Lehmkuhl (TWS member since 1983) retired from his position as a Research Wildlife Biologist for the Pacific Northwest Research Station, Wenatchee Forestry Sciences Lab. He will continue his lifelong interest in wildlife by volunteering on any interesting project…call him at 1-888---.

Jay Shepard, WDFW Colville recently went from the frying pan to the fire when he changed from his position as Assistant District Wildlife Biologist to the new Conflict Specialist with WDFW, also in Colville. In a considerable understatement, most of his time is anticipated to involve

wolves.

When the moon’s in your eye like a big pizza pie…that’s a-time to catch moths. Jon Shepard (unaffiliated) has completed his third year of sampling for moths on the Colville National Forest. His work has filled several gaps in known distribution and has been fed into the newly released “Pacific Northwest Moths” website, a trove of information on these little-known species loved by many of the species on which Chapter members work. Check out the website at

Uncollared fisher captured during marten survey on Olympic National Forest, March 10, 2013. Photo: Olympic National Forest)


http://pnwmoths.biol.wwu.edu/ or search “Pacific Northwest Moths”

What did the pygmy rabbit bring you for Easter? Chris Warren of USFWS/Spokane and Stephanie DeMay of the University of Idaho and WDFW report that recovery of the federally endangered pygmy rabbit in Washington is showing the beginning signs of success. Numerous cooperating agencies support the project, and 32 rabbits arrived from populations in Oregon and Wyoming to support the Washington efforts. The minimally effective captive breeding program was phased out and the focus shifted to breeding in semi-wild, predator-resistant enclosures (5 to 11 acres) in the State-managed Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area, where the imported, veterinary-cleared rabbits breed with resident, inter-crossed Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits. During summer 2012, these rabbits reproduced like rabbits and kindled (new word for you) over 150 kits in the enclosures, 104 of which were released into the wild. Surveys in release areas identified 110 active burrows and genetic analysis of fecal samples identified 42 individual pygmy rabbits. Of these, 38 were identified as rabbits released the previous summer, an impressive survival rate for this popular prey species. The other four rabbits were previously unsampled, and confirmed through parentage analysis to be the offspring of two rabbits released in 2011, the first evidence of pygmy rabbits breeding in the wild since recovery efforts were re-initiated. As the 2013 breeding season gears up, the team is excited to release a new batch of pygmy rabbits (in the same area as rabbits have been released since 2011) and to survey for further evidence of breeding in the wild.

Is that brie on your nose or do you have WNS? Ella Rowan, WDFW, Spokane reports that White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease found in seven species of hibernating bats in eastern and mid-western North America and is caused by a newly described (and presumed introduced from Europe) species of cold-loving fungus, Geomyces destructans.The fungus invades bats’ skin tissue while they are hibernating and causes extensive tissues damage, as well as altering physiological mechanisms necessary for survival. WNS and bat hibernation are complex

subjects, with research yet to elucidate a complete understanding of the effects upon bat physiology. WNS is estimated to have killed over 5 million bats since it was first discovered in 2006, with population declines having led to new regulations, cave closures, and proposals for numerous species to elevated federal status.

Though not yet recorded in western North America, WNS has spread to 22 states and five provinces in eastern and mid-western North America. Washington lacks essential information about the 15 species of bats that reside within our borders, including population estimates, baseline activity levels, locations of maternity roosts and hibernacula, migration corridors and critical habitat. Without this information, managers are at a loss for determining population trends or how best to manage bat populations. Our bat species seem to have different hibernation strategies than those in the eastern US, so even knowing how to optimally conduct surveillance for WNS is problematic.

WDFW is using acoustic detectors and analysis software, capture gear, cave survey gear, specimen collection equipment, and various other equipment necessary to work with bats to implement three small pilot projects in eastern Washington to determine their feasibility and cost-benefits as methods for future WNS surveillance. The first project utilizes acoustic detectors to collect baseline winter activity levels at three USFWS refuges. Studies in eastern states have shown elevated activity levels outside WNS-affected hibernacula during winter when bats may be leaving hibernacula to escape an irritating environment (the fungus destroys their skin tissue) or perhaps in attempts to find insects or water due to starvation or dehydration...all of which may be responses to the disease. The second project entails conducting hibernaculum surveys to identify bat species, quantities, signs of infection, behaviors, and microclimates utilized. G. destructans has a specific microclimate range where it grows or remains viable; therefore, knowing the microclimates within hibernacula where our species roost is essential information. The third project entails locating and characterizing new hibernacula. WDFW is also


providing public education through a WDFW WNS webpage and public contact.

Lots of other interesting projects really are occurring in NE Washington, including work on white-headed woodpeckers, lynx and wolverines, and people are still obtaining jobs, moving around and retiring. However, readers will remain only tantalized, not fulfilled, because project leaders or participants didn’t take the time to let you know about the cool stuff they’re doing. Hint, hint…

SOUTHEAST REGION – Sara Gregory, WDFW

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM BULLETIN: A New Biological Management Option against Cheatgrass Raises Hope of Western Land Managers

A strain of naturally occurring soil bacteria tested on national wildlife refuges and other western lands may soon offer rangeland managers a safe new way to manage cheatgrass, an aggressive plant pest.

Cheatgrass is an Eurasian invasive plant that is now found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It covers hundreds of thousands of square miles, including the fragile sagebrush steppe habitat that is the home of the increasingly rare greater sage-grouse. In the Great Basin states of Nevada, Utah, Oregon and California, cheatgrass is spreading at the rate of thousands of acres per day, endangering many more animal species and habitats. Wherever cheatgrass grows, unwanted wildfires burn hotter, more frequently and disrupt fragile ecosystems.

The native bacterium doesn’t have a catchy name; researchers refer to it simply as ACK55. But many hopes are riding on this strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens. “I’m convinced it will work as long as the bacteria are applied in the fall to the soil so they can colonize emerging cheatgrass roots in the spring,” says Michael Gregg, a Land Management Research and Demonstration biologist at the Mid-Columbia River Refuges Complex in Washington state. Like a sports agent, the Fish and Wildlife Service scientist is working to convince others that

ACK55 belongs in the big leagues of land management. The message is getting through.

In addition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, government agencies expressing interest in the natural cheatgrass inhibitor include the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. “A biopesticide is much more cost-effective than an herbicide and less damaging to the environment and human health,” says Hilda Diaz-Soltero, senior invasive species coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She hopes the inter-agency interest will speed further research designed to lead to the product’s approval as a commercial biopesticide.

Early test results have been impressive. In long-term field trials at Hanford Reach National Monument/ Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge in Washington, single applications of ACK55 dramatically reduced cheatgrass in three to five years while not hurting other plants or animals. Another field trial is in progress at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Idaho. In December 2012, the Fish and Wildlife Service committed $200,000 to scale up ACK55 tests to meet Environmental Protection Agency biopesticide registration requirements.

ACK55 is not the only new cheatgrass management tool being studied. “There is a fungus, colorfully named Black Fingers of Death, that is being tested by other researchers,” says Fred Wetzel, National Wildland Fire and Emergency Response advisor and ACK55’s project leader for the Fish and Wildlife Service. In contrast to other controls, Wetzel likens ACK55 to using laser surgery to target and suppress the plant’s developing root cells. “This cheats the plant out of everything it needs to grow and reproduce,” he says. Many land managers recognize that control of this invasive grass will require more than one management method.

The scientist who discovered ACK55 and devised a method to apply it is Ann C. Kennedy, a soil microbiologist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. Kennedy stresses ACK55’s safety. She says the native soil bacteria inhibit just three grass species: cheatgrass, medusa head and jointed goat grass. All are invasive species of the sage steppe


habitat. Wheat, native bunch grasses and broadleaf plants are unaffected. Another advantage of ACK55 is that applied bacteria don’t survive in the soil indefinitely; after three to five years, soil bacteria numbers return to pre-treatment levels.

By applying ACK55 in the fall, scientists aim to give the cold-loving native bacteria time to colonize the soil before the spring growing season. “One of the issues with cheatgrass is it greens up early in spring, so it gets a head start on other plants and outcompetes them,” says Gregg. “What we’re trying to do is remove that competitive edge so native plants can survive.”

Working with the EPA, the Fish and Wildlife Service and a team of resource scientists are moving toward federal registration of ACK55 as a biopesticide. Only then can a patented treatment be licensed for commercial sale and distribution. Diaz-Soltero sees licensing as five or more years off. “The registration process is long and it’s science,” she says. “We have to do the work systematically and thoroughly, dealing with challenges and questions as they arise.”Biologists and land managers are anxious to keep this process moving. “We don’t have time to waste.” says Wetzel.

Martha Nudel 703-358-1858 [email protected]

Vanessa Kauffman 703-358-2138 [email protected]

White-headed woodpeckers - Jeffrey M. Kozma (Yakama Nation TFW/Fisheries) and Teresa Lorenz (University of Idaho)

In Washington, the white-headed woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus) is listed as a species of concern because of its association with old-growth ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests. In 2011, we began a color-marking study of white-headed woodpeckers in managed stands dominated by ponderosa pine to assess yearly survival. We are performing this study in conjunction with a radio telemetry study of adult white-headed woodpeckers

to estimate home range size and space using during the breeding season. We captured adult birds with mist nets, hoop nets, and noose traps at nest cavities and water features. Nestlings were banded by cutting a hole in the cavity, removing the nestlings for banding, then placing the nestlings back in the cavity and sealing the cavity with the removed wooden plug. Each adult, juvenile and nestling white-headed woodpecker we captured was banded with a unique

combination of three colored leg bands and a numbered aluminum band. We banded a total of 45 adults and 55 nestlings/fledglings in 2011-2012. We estimated yearly adult survival from color band resightings at 0.77. Using radio telemetry we estimated adult survival at 0.83 in both 2011 and 2012. The study is currently ongoing into 2013.

And to wrap up the news from the Southeastern Region…A big congratulations goes to Mike

Tagging a white-headed woodpecker fledgling. Photo: Teresa Lorenz

White-headed woodpecker fledgling. Photo: Teresa Lorenz


Livingston who promoted from his District Biologist position in Pasco to WDFW Regional Director for South-central Washington. We wish you the best!

NORTHWEST (PUGET SOUND) REGION - Steve Hall, Point Environmental Consulting, Inc.

West Cascades Cougar Project The WDFW is reporting a successful season of captures conducted as part of the West Cascades Cougar Project. Research goals include understanding the relationship between cougar population dynamics and cougar-human interaction in the wildland/suburban interface. The study area is centered around the foothills east of the highly populated Puget Sound region.

As of April 2013, WDFW research scientist Brian Kertson and others have captured and collared 10 cougars (four adult females, one subadult female, two adult males and three subadult males). Nine cougars are being monitored following the death of a subadult male in mid-February.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/wildlife_weekly/2013/wildlife_weekly_2013feb11.pdf

A young, female cougar treed by dogs as part of the West Cascades Cougar Project. Photo: WDFW

Southern Resident Killer Whales Research continues to provide new insights into our endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Katherine Ayres of the UW’s Center for Conservation Biology and several other authors recently reported that Southern Resident killer whales are more stressed by lack of food than by vessel noise (the other major threat being evaluated is bioaccumulation of toxins). The research has been

aided by dogs trained to locate fecal samples for laboratory analysis.

Elizabeth Seely, a trainer at Conservation Canines, working with Tucker, a black lab mix, as he sniffed for orca scat near San Juan Island. Photo: Matthew Ryan Williams for The New York Times.

http://www.plosone.org/article/authors/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0036842

Satellite Tagging Program A team led by Brad Hanson of NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center has attached satellite tags to two Southern Resident killer whales. The tags were deployed to identify where Southern Residents spend the winter months and when they leave Washington’s inland marine areas for the open ocean. The tags also allow the ocean research team to locate the whales to collect fecal and prey fragment samples to identify food sources.

http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/research/divisions/cb/ecosystem/marinemammal/satellite_tagging/index.cfm

Habitat As part of ongoing efforts to restore and protect marine habitats in the Puget Sound region, the Washington Department of Ecology announced in February $4.8 million in grants from the National Wetland Conservation Program. The money will be used to help acquire and restore 550 acres of marine and associated freshwater and upland habitat areas in Island, Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason counties.

Projects include:

• $1 million to work with Whidbey Camano Land Trust to permanently protect and restore 113 acres of coastal wildlife habitat.


• $1 million to acquire 225 acres along Port Gamble Bay in north Kitsap County.

• $1 million to acquire and restore 76 acres at the mouth of Johns Creek where it empties into central Oakland Bay in Mason County, one of the largest commercial shellfish production areas in Puget Sound.

• $1 million to permanently protect 119 acres and restore a portion of the shoreline in Hood Canal’s Tarboo-Dabob Bay in Jefferson County.

• $815,435 to restore the natural function of 21.4 acres near the mouth of Snow Creek in Discovery Bay in Jefferson County, an area severely affected by shoreline highways, agriculture and associated development.

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2013/051.html

Snow Creek Estuary at Discovery Bay, one of several areas to be protected and restored with help from federal grants (photo: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission).

Puget Sound Prairie The prairie habitats of the Puget Sound-Willamette Trough, one of the rarest ecosystems in North America, have been in the news lately. Below are a few of the highlights.

New Endangered Species Act Listings Proposed USFWS has recently proposed Endangered Species Act listing for three species found within the South Sound’s prairie ecosystem: the Mazama pocket gopher (four of nine subspecies) and streaked horned lark were proposed as threatened species and the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly was proposed as endangered. The pocket gopher proposal includes

9,234 acres of prairie habitat in Thurston and Pierce counties proposed to be designated as critical habitat.

USFWS also declared the Tacoma pocket gopher, which historically ranged from Point Defiance south to Steilacoom and east to Puyallup, as officially extinct.

http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/mpg.htmlhttp://www.fws.gov/wafwo/TCB_SHLcrithab.html

Management Funding Work to protect and restore Puget Sound prairie habitat was given a recent boost with grants secured through the State Wildlife Grants Competitive Program, with $974,664 of federal money and $665,428 in matching funds. The money will be used to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan to retain and recover prairie habitats in South Puget Sound.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/10/2398101/feds-propose-threatened-listing.html#storylink=cpy

Controlled Burns Puget Sound’s prairie habitat is believed to be dependent on burning to control invasions by Douglas-fir and other species that can shade out prairie plants. In his book “Indians, Fire and the Land,” Robert Boyd wrote of widely reported burning of Puget Sound area prairies by native peoples. This process continues at Joint Base Lewis- McChord and other places, such as the Ebey’s Bluff area of Whidbey Island.

At Ebey’s Bluff, Eric Delvin, a community conservation coordinator with The Nature Conservancy and UW graduate student, has been studying burning as a tool to restore prairies to their native state. His project, funded by grants from USFWS, is intended to eventually support reintroduction of five species of rare prairie

Mazama pocket gopher. Photo: Kim Flotlin (USFWS)


butterflies, including Taylor’s checkerspot, the island marble, the Mardon skipper, the Puget blue, and the valley silverspot.

http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/170247396.html#

Jim Lynch of Joint Base Lewis-McChord lights a controlled burn. Photo: Tony Overman / AP

SOUTHWEST REGION - William Ritchie, USFWSColumbian white-tailed deer

Beginning on January 29, 2013, Columbian white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus leucurus) were translocated from the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for Columbian White-tailed Deer (JBH refuge) to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge near Ridgefield, Washington. The deer were being moved to save them from habitat loss due to the impending failure of a dike between the JBH refuge and the Columbia River. If the dike fails, much of the refuge will be flooded, placing the deer at risk. The USFWS

captured and moved the deer in partnership with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and numerous volunteers. The effort recently ended on a successful note. A total of 37 Columbian white-tailed were translocated to Ridgefield NWR and 12 were moved to Cottonwood Island since captures began to improve genetic diversity in the existing population.

The goals of the relocation were to protect the deer and stabilize an existing population on Cottonwood Island. If the deer had not been moved, the entire population was at risk from an eroding dike that stands between the refuge and the mighty Columbia River. As a result of the successful translocation of the 49 deer, the population is now better protected. Additionally, for the first time in many years, there will be a population of Columbian white-tailed deer on Ridgefield NWR - a part of their historic range from which they were extirpated. However, after being relocated to Ridgefield, 10 deer have died. Two

were hit by cars after moving off of the refuge post-relocation, several died as a result of likely predator attacks and the rest died of unknown causes. Only two deer died during the relocation itself. Refuge staff worked with partners to develop protocols to maximize chances

of survival and implemented those protocols faithfully.

The deer were moved using a variety of methods and multiple efforts that included USFWS refuge staff, partners and volunteers from the local community.

Agency personnel handling tranquilized deer. Photo: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS

Translocating deer via helicopter. Photo: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS


Safely capturing, moving and protecting the 49 deer were the result of successful partnerships. Jackie Ferrier, Project Leader for Willapa NWR Complex, said, “We sincerely appreciate all of the hard working volunteers, dedicated veterinarians, amazing partners – especially the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and US Army Corps of Engineers - as well as our own USFWS staff. Each contributed their time, energy, resources and so much more to this emergency Columbian white-tailed deer translocation. Outstanding job everyone. Thank you so very much!” Contact Paul Meyers, Biologist, Julia Butler Hansen NWR.

Streaked horned lark surveys The Lewis and Clark NWR is once again collaborating with the Center for Natural Lands Management, WDFW, and other USFWS staff in conducting streaked horned lark surveys on the lower Columbia River. While counts are typically low, this area represents a significant contribution to the population. Contact Paul Meyers, Biologist, Julia Butler Hansen NWR.

Waters to Watch The National Fish Habitat Partnership (www.fishhabitat.org) has unveiled its ten “Waters to Watch” list for 2013, a collection of rivers, streams, estuaries, watershed systems and lakes that will benefit from strategic conservation efforts to protect restore or enhance their current condition. Throughout the year, these projects will be the showcase of conservation efforts working to avoid

and reverse persistent declines in our nation’s aquatic habitats.

The Bear River Estuary Project in Washington was selected as one of 10 Waters to Watch in 2013. This project would restore 500 acres of high quality, estuarine habitat on the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. Re-establishment of natural estuarine processes and habitats will benefit a diverse array of aquatic and avian species including marine invertebrates, salmon and trout, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Restoration will provide habitat for juvenile salmon, reconnect spawning streams for salmon and trout, and contribute to the overall health of Willapa Bay. To date two miles of old levee have been removed exposing 160 acres of estuarine habitat to natural tidal processes. The response thus far from shorebirds, waterfowl, and fish has been very encouraging. Contact: Jackie Ferrier, Project Leader, Willapa NWR.

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Willapa National Wildlife Refuge have begun conducting annual surveys to monitor breeding phenology, nest success, fledging success, and the number of nesting adult western snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) on the southern Washington coast. Data from recent years indicate a significantly declining population in Washington. Streaked horned larks (Eremophila alpestris strigata)are also being surveyed in conjunction with the plover surveys. Contact: Cyndie Sundstrom, WDFW Wildlife Biologist, or William Ritchie, Biologist, Willapa NWR.

Dark Canada goose A strategy is being developed between Oregon and Washington State and the USFWS for management of the resident dark Canada goose (RDG) population in the lower Columbia River basin. Cases of hunting permit invalidations, and increasing concerns that RDG may be mistakenly identified as a dusky during goose monitoring surveys, have led to this action. As a result of these concerns and the further complications to the hunting season, a more extensive monitoring and banding program focused

Releasing Columbian white-tailed deer at Ridgefield NWR. Photo: Natalie St. John, Longview Daily News


on RDG is being planned for 2013. Contact Pat Miller, WDFW Wildlife Biologist.

ANNOUNCEMENTS New Website

TWS-Washington has a new home on the web: http://wildlife.org/washington. Chances are you already know that because you found this newsletter there. Even so, we encourage you to surf on over and check out our new digs on the Net. While you’re there, you might notice that the site looks a little sparse. What happened to all of the great information at our old website? Never fear, we haven’t lost it. We just need to find someone to step up and take charge of maintaining and updating the new site. See “WeNeed Your Help!” (page 22) for more details.

Scholarship and Grant Awards

Richard E. Fitzner Memorial Scholarship

Dick Fitzner was a biologist, educator, artist, naturalist, hunter and fisherman. He also served as President of the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Dick always offered enthusiasm, inspiration and encouragement to the many wildlife biologists that knew him. Through a memorial scholarship fund established in Dick Fitzner’s honor, the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society hopes to help encourage and inspire future wildlife biologists.

Each year the Washington Chapter provides up to $2,500 toward the tuition of one or more wildlife-oriented biology students. To be eligible, a student must be junior or senior at a Washington State college or university. Applicants provide college transcripts and two letters of reference from instructors or past employers.

For the 2012-2013 academic year, the Board of Trustees of the scholarship reviewed almost two dozen applications. John Grettenberger, who chairs the Scholarship Committee, coordinated the review. Our applicants generally provided outstanding letters

of reference, had good experience in wildlife management or science, and demonstrate high academic achievement.

Kristina Haycock, a senior at the University of Washington, was selected as this year’s recipient of the Chapter’s Fitzner Memorial Scholarship. Kristina was only a freshman when she took on the leadership position in the UW Chapter. She was likely extremely nervous to be given such a large role, but because she was the only member not graduating Kristina didn't feel she had a choice. Wildlife is a cause to which Kristina wants to dedicate her life. Now in her senior year, she has a student chapter of which she can be proud. Kristina looks forward to graduate school and studying animal psychology or conservation biology. In the long term, she would like to become a professor and/or work with endangered species and animal enrichment programs in a zoo.

Applications for the 2013-2014 school year have been submitted. The application form may be found at our website and may provide some guidance to 2014-2015 applicants.

Research Grant

The Chapter provides up to $2,500 in grant money for wildlife research projects in Washington State. Proposals are rated based on the following criteria: appropriateness of the project to the goals of The Wildlife Society, adequacy of proposed methods to the project objectives, researcher's experience, and importance of research in relation to the requested funds.

Matthew Warren, a graduate student at Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, was granted $2,500 by the Chapter to continue his work on “Landscape Effects on Connectivity and Genetic Diversity of Cougar (Puma concolor) Populations in Washington.” The study objectives were to:

1. Evaluate the genetic structure of cougar populations in Washington and identify genetically unique subpopulations.


2. Assess the degree of connectivity between regions as well as the factors influencing connectivity in the state.

3. Evaluate gender-specific dispersal capacity across heterogeneous landscapes by determining the relative importance of various landscape features on dispersal independently for each sex.

4. Determine if the scale and boundaries of current Cougar Management Units are appropriate based on population connectivity and genetic similarity in the state.

5. Identify dispersal corridors between previously recognized source and sink populations and between isolated subpopulations and potential source populations.

The Board is currently considering the recommendations by John Lehmkuhl and Bill Gaines (Co-chairs of the Grant Committee) based upon their review of 10 applications for 2013. Applicants for the 2014 field season may access our webpage or contact John Lehmkuhl ([email protected]) for more information.

O p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r S t u d e n t s

The Washington Chapter of the Wildlife Society offers several opportunities for students:

Become involved in the Student Chapters at the University of Washington (http://students.washington.edu/uwtws/) or Washington State University (http://www.wildlifeclub.wsu.edu/)Apply for a grant or scholarship to support your research. Links to supporting information can be found on the left side of our main webpage. Attend the 2014 Annual Meeting.

The Wildlife Society National Conference

In these critical times, achieving effective results demands a paradigm shift that can only be realized with exposure to new thoughts and ideas. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference will help you

discover and implement ideas that deliver results. It will train your mind to search for innovative solutions. It will provide opportunities to make valuable connections with other association professionals and suppliers who have solutions you need. And, it will prepare you for the long road ahead.

The annual conference will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 5 to10, 2013. For more information check out the website, http://wildlifesociety.org/. You will even find a link to a letter template in case you need help convincing your supervisor that this is a good idea.

2014 Annual Meeting Progress – Volunteers Needed

The next Washington Chapter Annual Meeting will be 3-7 February 2014 in Pasco, Washington. This will be a joint meeting with the 4th International Burrowing Owl Conference, a Raptors of the Northwest Symposium, and Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology. The meeting theme will be Enhancing Conservation Program Delivery Among Agricultural and Other Natural Resources Interests.Details on the program, venue, associated activities, and other opportunities will be forthcoming.

For now, volunteers are needed to assist with various aspects of planning and arranging the meeting including Program, Registration, Sponsorships/Fundraising, Workshops, Student Involvement, Entertainment, Field Trips, Photo


Contest, and AudioVisual Coordination. If you are willing to assist with any of these efforts, please send your name, e-mail, phone contact info, and your interest category(ies) to Mike Passmore, Steering Team Leader, at [email protected].

Section and National Reports and News

Montana Chapter of TWS had an interesting article in their Fall 2012 newsletter on Exurban Development. In their February 2013 newsletter, they published a draft position statement on Exurban Housing Development and Wildlife.

At their 2013 annual meeting, Idaho Chapter held a special symposium called Fisher Conservation in the Northern Rockies: Developing a Vision for the Future.

Oregon Chapter posted an interesting link on their Facebook page: http://eradicationbymastication.org/cookbook/

Cookbook aids in the delicious demise of nuisance species!!

S P E C I A L T H A N K S

The Board would like to thank the following people for their help:

Chris Loggers is stepping down from the NE Regional Representative position for the Chapter after about 20 or more years. Chris has been a big supporter of the Chapter for many years and we look forward to his continuing support.

Mike Livingston is stepping down from the SE Regional Representative position for the Chapter after more than two years. Mike was nice enough to help us find his replacement, Sara Gregory, and we hope Mike will continue to support the chapter in other ways.

John Lehmkuhl and Bill Gaines have both retired (sort of) but continue to co-chair the Grant Committee. They carefully sort through and evaluate the applications and make recommendations to the Board. Their careful and thoughtful work has been appreciated by the Board for many years. Both John

and Bill have been long-time supporters of the Chapter in many ways.

John Grettenberger has also retired, but continues to chair the scholarship committee. John coordinates and participates as the committee reviews and evaluates the scholarship applications each year and makes recommendations to the Board.

Danielle Munzing has stepped down from administration of our website. Our website was up to date with a lot of great information – and now we are going through migration. Trust us, Danielle will be sorely missed.

Oregon Chapter Board and Officers provided not only organization and heavy-lifting but cheerful camaraderie as we planned and held the 2013 Annual Meeting.

The student volunteers from both Washington and Oregon helped tremendously in making our joint annual meeting such a success.

WE NEED YOUR HELPELP!Just in time for an announcement in this newsletter, the Washington Chapter finds itself needing to fill three vital positions:

Website Administrator Northeast Regional Representative Social Media Contact

Website Administrator

After several years of dedicated service, our webmistress, Danielle Munzing, is ready to pass the baton. This momentous news has two implications.


First, we want to say thank you, Danielle, for everything you’ve done over the years to make our website attractive and informative. Chapter members and the world at large have reaped the benefits of your attention to detail—and your excellent collection of photographs! Those of us on the board in particular have appreciated your willingness to work on short notice, updating pages and posting files, all while wrestling with a slow and balky content management system.

Second, now we need to find someone to take the reins. This means you! If you have ever been interested in developing or honing your skills in website content management, graphic design, or the finer points of html, this is your golden opportunity. And here’s the good news: we have a new content management system! It’s clean and intuitive and so user-friendly that even our hapless Secretary was able to figure out how to create a home page and post this newsletter. If you think you might be interested in stepping up, please contact Mike Hall. (And thank you, Mike, for your efforts to get the ball rolling on migrating from our old website to our new one and for keeping us informed via e-mail!)

Interested in helping but daunted by technology? There may be a place for you yet.

Northeast Regional Representative

After many years of collecting and sharing stories from chapter members in the northeastern portion of the state (basically, Kittitas County and points east and north), Chris Loggers is ready to step down from his position as regional representative. Thank you, Chris, for all of the work you put into your informative and engaging regional reports. We recognize that he’s a tough act to follow, but we need to fill that position. If you like to know what’s going on with your colleagues, and if you’re willing to let us know what they’re up to, we’d love to hear from you.

In related news, please join us in thanking SaraGregory for agreeing to replace Mike Livingston as our southeast regional representative. And thank you, Mike, for your admirable efforts in that

position—and congratulations on your new position as director of WDFW’s southcentral region!

Social Media Contact

Lastly, now that this whole “Internet” thing seems to be catching on, the Board is thinking it might be a good idea to try to establish a presence on Facebook. If we’re going to do that, however, we will need to find someone who’s comfortable working in that environment—and who is willing to make a long-term commitment to managing a Facebook page for the Chapter. That’s where you come in: if you’re Facebook-savvy (or if you’re interested in joining the cognoscenti) and you’re willing to help figure out what the Chapter wants to achieve with a Facebook presence, please contact Mike Hall. You may have what it takes to be the Washington Chapter’s first-ever Social Media Maven!

THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY ONLINE MENTORING

PROGRAM

TWS’ Online Mentoring program is a great way to build professional relationships that will help advance a student’s or young professional’s career, while gaining knowledge from wildlife professionals. Already a professional? We are always looking for mentors to volunteer. It is easy to sign up, just go online to our Online Mentoring Program with your TWS Member ID number and register.

Join the Washington Chapter of the Wildlife Society! For more information the Chapter, including membership forms, please visit our website: http://wildlife.org/Washington/.

If you have questions regarding your membership status, please contact Mike Hall at 425-458-6244 or [email protected]. He will be happy to help you out. And if you are ready to renew your membership you can use the form on the next page or on our website. Folks who are members at the National level can also check by logging in as members at http://store.wildlife.org. Remember chapter membership dues are only $10 ($5 if you are a student). It’s an inexpensive way to stay connected and support wildlife!


HHope 2013 is treating you well!

If you need to continue receiving hardcopies of newsletters, please contact Bill Vogel. Our intent is to minimize distribution of hardcopies to save costs and reduce our carbon footprint.

View from Buck Pass on the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest. Photo: Andrea Lyons


The Wildlife Society Washington ChapterBOARD

President William O. Vogel U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 360-753-4367 [email protected]

President-Elect Bruce Thompson Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife 360-902-2505 [email protected]

Past President Blake Murden Port Blakely Tree Farms 360-596-9437 [email protected]

Secretary Michael Hall Parametrix 425-458-6200 [email protected]

Treasurer Craig Hansen ENVIRON 360-556-7168 [email protected]

Section Representative A.J. Kroll Weyerhaeuser Company [email protected]

Board Position #1 Jonathan Kemp EnCo Environmental Corporation 253-841-9710 [email protected]

Board Position #2 Wendy Arjo Ageiss, Inc 360-742-3396 [email protected]

Board Position #3 Suzie Rizor Blue Leaf Environmental 509-210-7424 [email protected]

Board Position #4 Tyler Hicks WA State University 360-823-3538 [email protected]

Student Chapters Liaison Vacant

COMMITTEES

Scholarship Committee John Grettenberger 360-923-1424 [email protected]

Grants Committee John Lehmkuhl 509-669-7373 [email protected]

Bill Gaines Washington Conservation Science Institute 509-860-4974 [email protected]

Awards Committee John Lehmkuhl 509-669-7373 [email protected]

Workshop Committee William O. Vogel U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 360-753-4367 [email protected]

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Northeast- open

Northwest – Steve Hall Point Consulting 206-441-1882 [email protected]

Olympic Peninsula - Betsy Howell U.S. Forest Service Olympic National Forest 360-956-2292 [email protected]

Southwest – William Ritchie Willapa National Wildlife [email protected]

Southeast – Sara Gregory Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Andrea Lyons U.S. Forest Service 509-664-9232 [email protected]

The Washington Wildliferwildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Spring2013.pdfsocial reception with...

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